In a report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), jobs that require degrees related to food, agriculture, renewable natural resources or the environment will see an average of 57,900 openings annually over the next five years, which is far more than the anticipated 35,400 graduates in those fields. The Maryland Soybean Board is stepping up to encourage students …
I AM USFRA – Gene Stoel
Third generation Minnesota farmer Gene Stoel has served on the board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) for three years now and he considers it time well spent for him representing his family and his fellow farmers. “To me it’s very important to tell people what it is we do, why we do the things we do and …
Agri-Pulse Poll Shows Growers Ready to Act on Prices
Soybeans won’t be sitting in the bin much longer, says a new farm opinion survey by Agri-Pulse. The $2 per bushel rise in market prices has Iowa producers getting rid of last year’s inventory. “Thirty-seven percent of respondents said a price of $10.25 would compel them to sell their 2015 crop while another 12 percent said $10.75,” Wyant said. “Ten …
I AM USFRA – Lisa Lunz
Lisa Lunz of Nebraska has been on the board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) from the start and she has been pleased to see how the organization has grown to have a significant influence on conversations about food across the country. “USFRA’s mission is to develop trust in modern day agriculture,” says Lunz, who served as chairman …
Book Review – Coolbean the Soybean
Ahhh…Spring is here and planting has begun and it’s a perfect time for kids to meet Coolbean. This week I read “Coolbean The Soybean,” by Shawn Conley, Ph.D. who is the state soybean specialist, aka agronomist, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Who better to write a book about the life of a soybean from seed to seed. Coolbean …
Simple Solutions from LibertyLink
Soybeans are no longer a simple crop to grow and market. With new traits still pending approval for export to other countries, and some elevators announcing they won’t accept specific traits, choosing the right soybean for your operation may be down right complicated. LibertyLink soybeans, however, offer a simple solution. These soybean traits have all been approved for domestic and …
New @USFRA Board Members
The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) has elected three new board members, representing the American Farm Bureau Federation, Cattlemen’s Beef Board and Indiana Soybean Alliance. Scott VanderWal, a third generation family farmer from Volga, SD, is vice president of AFBF and president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau. His family operation includes corn, soybeans, beef cattle feeding and custom …
I AM USFRA – Jeanette Merritt
Like most farm women, Jeanette Merritt wears many hats. A wife and mother of three, the 4th generation Indiana hog and soybean farmer is a Purdue University graduate who serves Hoosier State agriculture in a variety of ways. Jeanette is a former farm broadcaster and agricultural journalist who has put her experience to work as a public speaker and PR …
ASA Seeks State Policy & Communications Coordinator
The American Soybean Association (ASA) is ready to accept applications for the position of State Policy & Communication Coordinator based at Gordley Associates, ASA’s Washington office. This position has multiple responsibilities in two work areas. The first is to work with ASA’s 26 state and regional association affiliates to help achieve national soybean policy priorities, as set by ASA. This …
EPA Opens Comment Period Regarding Dicamba
The EPA has opened a 30 day comment period to the public covering the topic of dicamba herbicide use with Bollgard II ExtendFlex cotton and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans. This step is an important move forward for growers hoping to gain access to dicamba weed-management tools. A limited commercial introduction of Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton took place in 2015 …